Following a comprehensive national search, the boards of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (New Jersey LCV) and the New Jersey LCV Education Fund today announced the appointment of Meishka L. Mitchell, AICP, PP, as the organization’s new Executive Director and CEO. She will officially assume the role on December 1.

Meishka brings more than two decades of experience advancing environmental protection, climate action and equity across New Jersey and nationally. Most recently, she led Emerald Cities Collaborative, a national organization working at the intersection of climate action, clean energy and economic opportunity, where she drove significant organizational growth, expanded the organization’s national reach, strengthened partnerships and mobilized major investments from leading philanthropic partners to advance climate resilience, green workforce development and environmental justice.

"We are thrilled to welcome Meishka to lead New Jersey LCV into its next chapter," said Randy Jones, Chair of New Jersey LCV. "New Jersey's environmental movement is comprised of people protecting our forests, wildlife and open space, fighting toxic pollution in our air and water, ensuring that no community is treated as a sacrifice zone and championing clean energy and climate action. Not only has Meishka worked across every one of those traditions, she brings exceptional national executive experience and a demonstrated ability to bring diverse stakeholders together to deliver real, measurable results. She is exactly the leader we need to advance our legislative priorities, hold corporate polluters accountable, protect the health, safety and affordability of our communities and reverse the loss of the natural lands, waters and biodiversity that make our state so special."

"Meishka’s deep commitment to environmental justice and her proven track record of mobilizing resources for equitable, community-driven solutions make her the perfect fit for this organization," said Trina Mallik, Chair of the New Jersey LCV Education Fund. "Her understanding of how environmental policy connects to the broader goals of healthy and thriving neighborhoods will be invaluable as we work to educate, empower and engage voters across New Jersey's diverse rural, suburban, coastal and urban communities, and the natural places and wildlife they all share."

A Camden native and licensed city planner, Mitchell’s approach is deeply informed by an understanding of how land use, infrastructure and public policy shape community health and opportunity. Previously, she served as Vice President of Camden Community Partnership, where she spearheaded initiatives that brought more than $50 million in public, private and philanthropic investment to Camden for environmental health, climate resilience and equitable community development.

Her leadership helped advance the creation and reclamation of open space, including the transformation of a former landfill into the 62-acre Cramer Hill Waterfront Park, which restored seven acres of tidal freshwater wetlands and returned wildlife habitat to the Delaware River shoreline. Meishka co-created and led nationally recognized cross-sector initiatives that combined green infrastructure, ecological restoration, and community priorities to reduce flood risk, enhance public spaces, improve environmental health, and strengthen neighborhood resilience to climate impacts.

"I am incredibly honored to join New Jersey LCV at such a pivotal time for our state and our planet," said Meishka L. Mitchell, incoming Executive Director and CEO of New Jersey LCV. "Protecting New Jersey's environment requires bold leadership, broad-based collaboration and a fundamental belief that environmental policy must be connected to the broader goals of health, equity, empowerment, and resilience. I am excited to work with New Jersey LCV’s talented staff and build on its strong foundation to deepen our partnerships across the state with community leaders, elected officials, and advocates to mobilize the collective power of our communities, advance bold environmental policies, strengthen the broad coalition that makes up our state’s environmental movement and advance common-sense solutions that put the people of New Jersey first."

In addition to her executive leadership, Mitchell serves as a lecturer at Rutgers University, where she teaches Environmental Justice and U.S. Environmental Policy.

She is also the founder of Black Girl Kinda Green, an education platform and consulting practice that uses storytelling and advocacy to make environmental justice accessible and actionable.

Meishka will make her first public appearance with the organization at the New Jersey LCV reception during the upcoming New Jersey State League of Municipalities conference on November 18.

The boards also recognized the pivotal leadership of Allison McLeod, who served as interim Executive Director during the transition and will remain a deeply valued member of the senior leadership team moving forward. During her tenure, McLeod successfully guided the organization through a critical election cycle, kept environmental priorities at the forefront of the public agenda during the gubernatorial transition and shepherded the landmark John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act into law.

"I look forward to working closely with Meishka to ensure a seamless, successful transition as we continue to fight for clean air, safe water and an affordable future for New Jersey's working families,” said Allison McLeod. “I am proud of the work the staff has accomplished together over the past year, and I am confident Meishka will bring her expertise as we continue to work every day to protect our environment and communities.”